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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. J. GUNNING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,821, dated June 9, 1663.

jb {LZ/j whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES F. J. GUNNING, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Frame for Making Hoop-Skirts and I do hereby de- Clare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had t0 the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a vertical central section of my stand, the reel being shown in elevation.

same.

Similar letters of reference in both views indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in arranging one or more reels, on which the skirt-wire is placed, in the interior of the frame on which the skirt is formed in such a manner that the space is saved which said reel or reels would occupy, either above or beside the form, and that the wire is placed in the most convenient place for the operation.

The invention consists, also, in the arrangement of an adjustable bottom in the form or frame in such a manner that by unshipping the bottom the reel or reels can conveniently be taken out or put in.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

In making woven skirts, experience has taught that it is better to have each operator cut her own wire as she uses it rather than have it cut in sets, as was done formerly. It is therefore necessary to give a coil of one thousand yards (more or less) to each person, and where there are two numbers of wire used two coils must be given. The reels on which the coils of wire are placed have generally been placed on the side of the form or suspended from the ceiling over the form, and in the former case a very extended space is required to manufacture skirts; in the second case the skirts, when finished, can not be suspended over the form, and for want of room they have to be hung on the side wal1s,where by the tapes are liable to slip on the springs and make an imperfectly-shaped skirt. These Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the? diihculties I have obviated by my invention, which consists in a form, A, made in the ordinary manner and shape, and arranged on a stand, B, at a convenient height for the operator. The een tral stem or shaft C, of, this form forms the guide for a reel, D, on which the skirtwire is intended to be placed.

It will thus be seen that the reel is in the interior of' the form in the most convenient place for the operator, and no more room is required by the form with than without the reel.

When two sizes of wire are to be used, the reel is either made high enough to take both sizes, side by side, or two reels may be placed one on the top ofthe other, or side by side in the interior ofthe form.

The cross-bar E, which forms the bottom of the form A, is secured by means of pins a, so that it can readily be removed whenever it is desired to remove the frame for the purpose of taking the reel out or putting in another.

By having the reel'or reels in the interior of the form, the operator is enabled to reach the wire with the greatest convenience. The wire is drawn out and wound round the form at the desired spot, and cut off without difficulty, and it is not liable to get soiled in sweeping and entangled by running ovei` the flange of the reel. It is not necessary with my improved frame to draw the wire oi' the reel in making woven skirts or setting the bustle-rods for corded skirts, for in revolving the frame the wire unwinds as fast as the operator needs to use it.

What l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The arrangement of one or more reels D inthe interior of the frame A, constructed and operating in the manner and for the purpose substantially as shown and described.

2. The arrangement of the adjustable or movable cross bar E, or its equivalent, in the bottom of the form A, as and for the purpose specified.

JAS. F. J. GUNNING. Witnesses M. S. PARTRIDGE, DANIEL ROBERTSON. 

